Construction for reducing vortex swirl in rotary water sprinklers

ABSTRACT

A rotary impact driven sprinkler of the type having a range nozzle for long distance water throw and a spreader nozzle for shorter distance throw and which includes an elbow having a converging passageway therethrough for reducing vortex swirl, and a bleed opening in the passageway for further reducing the amount of swirling water delivered to the range nozzle by bleeding the swirling water from the main flow and directing that water to supply the spreader nozzle.

United States Patent [1 1 Troup Dec. 9, 1975 CONSTRUCTION FOR REDUCINGVORTEX SWIRL IN ROTARY WATER SPRINKLERS [75] Inventor: Edward M. Troup,Glendora, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Rain Bird Sprinkler, Mfg.

Corporation, Glendora, Calif.

[22] Filed: July 3, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 485,504

[52] US. Cl. 239/230; 239/233; 239/246; 239/262; 239/553.5; 239/DIG. l[51] Int. Cl. B05B 3/08 [58] Field of Search 239/DIG. 1, 228, 230-233,239/237, 246, 248, 251-255, 259, 261, 262, 264, 553553.5, 590-5905,201-206 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,102,354 7/1914Pougnet 239/DIG. 1 1,577,820 3/1926 Todd et a1. 239/230 2,009,478 7/1935Coles et al. 239/230 2,345,030 3/1944 Buckner 239/233 2,596,383 5/1952Dunham 239/230 2,792,256 5/1957 Sinex 239/233 2,963,228 12/1960Hait...... 239/230 3,434,664 3/1969 Friedman et a1 239/230 X 3,623,666Meyer 239/230 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher AssistantExaminer-Andres [Kashnikow Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fulwider, Patton,Rieber, Lee & Utecht [57] I ABSTRACT A rotary impact driven sprinkler ofthe type having a range nozzle for long distance water throw and aspreader nozzle for shorter distance throw and which includes an elbowhaving a converging passageway therethrough for reducing vortex swirl,and a bleed opening in the passageway for further reducing the amount ofswirling water delivered to the range nozzle by bleeding the swirlingwater from the main flow and directing that water to supply the spreadernozzle.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures CONSTRUCTION FOR REDUCING VORTEX SWIRL INROTARY WATER SPRINKLERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to rotary water sprinklers for use in irrigation and moreparticularly to a new and improved rotary sprinkler of the type having aprimary nozzle for relatively long distance water throw and a secondarynozzle for relatively short distance water throw.

There are numerous rotary sprinklers presently on the market whichinclude a primary nozzle, often referred to as a range nozzle, forproviding the primary source of irrigating water, and a secondarynozzle, typically called a spreader nozzle, which ejects a smaller waterstream. Exemplary of these types of sprinklers are those manufacturedand sold by Rain Bird Sprinkler Manufacturing Corp. of Glendora, Calif.under its designations 85E-TNT/95E-TNT (part circle sprinklers), andfull circle sprinklers 80C and 80E Series as shown on pages 64 and 80,respectively, of the Rain Bird 1974 Irrigation Equipment Catalogue.

Such sprinklers are typically used in situations where relatively largeareas are to be irrigated, the range nozzle functioning to eject itsstream over a relatively great distance with its main fallout occuringwell away from the sprinkler, and the spreader nozzle functioning toeject its stream over a shorter distance to produce relatively rapidfallout and fill in the area of low fallout created by the range nozzle.The range nozzle typically is disposed to traject its stream in adirection upwardly and laterally away from the sprinkler so that thewater from the supply pipe which is usually vertically disposed musttravel through a curved, generally elbow shaped path to the rangenozzle.

It has been found that as the water travels through the elbow, vortexswirl is introduced into the water flowing to the range nozzle so thatthe water ejected from the range nozzle includes water particles whichare traveling with a spiral motion in their direction of travel. Thisresults in a substantial reduction in the distance of travel of thewater stream from the range nozzle before fallout and a reduction in thearea which can be effectively irrigated by the sprinkler.

To over come this problem, various attempts have been made at reducingthe vortex swirl of the water ejected from the range nozzle. One of themost successful solutions has been to form anti swirl vanes inside thesprinkler downstream from the elbow and upstream from the range nozzleand which attempt to align the water particles into a straight line flowcondition prepatory to being ejected from the range nozzle.

While the provision of straightening vanes has increased the effectivedistance of water throw from the range nozzle, such vanes have alsointroduced several additional problems and have not fully solved theunderlying problem. For example, the provision of vanes adds additionalmaterial and labor costs to the construction of such sprinklers, and thevanes tend to provide a flow restriction which may result in clogging ofthe sprinkler after prolonged use and the build up of dirt andparticulate matter around the vanes.

Thus, it is apparent that there exists a need for a new and improvedsprinkler of the type referred to above which is simple and inexpensivein construction, and which will increase the effective distance of waterthrow from the range nozzle yet be trouble free in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a sprinklerconstruction which substantially reduces the amount of vortex swirl ofthe water flowing through an elbow to a range nozzle and whichsignificantly increases the effective area irrigated over similar typesof prior art sprinklers. Moreover, the sprinkler construction of thepresent invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, is troublefree and reliable in use, and attains its improved result withoutrequiring anti swirl vanes or the like.

More specifically, the flow passage through the elbow leading to therange nozzle is formed as a uniformly converging passageway of circularcrosssection and which accelerates the flow in the lonitudinal directionof travelto reduce the amount of energy that is available for producingvortex swirl. The passageway also includes a lateral bleed opening whichis positioned to effectively bleed swirling water particles from theflow to the range nozzle and to channel the swirling water to a spreadernozzle.

The passageway through the elbow is defined by a rear wall having anouter radius of curvature and a forward wall having an inner radius ofcurvature, and the bleed opening is formed as a slot through the forwardwall. The spreader nozzle is attached to the end of a tubular projectionextending laterally from the elbow below the range nozzle and in generalalignment therewith, and has an internal conduit communicating with thebleed opening. With this construction, a substantial portion of thewater swirl that is produced during flow through the elbow is channeledout of the main flow and directed to the spreader nozzle.

Although the formation of vortex swirl may not be entirely eliminated bythe converging passageway through the elbow, it will be appreciated thatnot only is the amount of swirl reduced appreciably, but the bleedopening cooperates to channel off much of the swirl that is developedduring travel through the elbow thereby to increase the distance ofwater throw from the range nozzle. Further, it should be appreciatedthat the construction of the sprinkler is relatively simple, easy tomanufacture and free of clogging problems of prior art sprinklers.

Many other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the drawings which disclose, by way of example, the principles ofthe invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view withportions shown in perspective, of a rotary, impact driven sprinklerembodying the principles of the invention and which includes a rangenozzle and a spreader nozzle;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view taken substantially in thedirection of line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another sectional view and taken substantially along line 4-4of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a further sectional view and taken substantially along line5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front perspective view of the sprinkler of FIG.1; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the sprinkler of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As shown in the exemplary drawings, the presentinvention is embodied in a new and improved rotary water sprinkler ofthe type having a primary or range nozzle 12 for ejecting a stream ofwater over a relatively long distance, and a secondary or spreadernozzle 14 for ejecting a water stream over a shorter distance. In thisinstance, the sprinkler 10 is coupled to a generally vertical watersupply pipe 16 which provides pressurized water to the sprinkler, and ismounted for full circle rotation in one direction about the pipe. Inthis connection, it should be appreciated that although the sprinkler 10is illustrated as a full circle type sprinkler, the sprinkler can beadapted for part circle operation by providing a suitable reversingmechanism of conventional design.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 6, the sprinkler 10 includes a body18, herein formed from a metal casting, having a lower portion 20defining an internal, generally vertical water inlet passage 22 whichcommunicates with the supply pipe 16 through a conventional rotarycoupling 24 comprising a tubular spindle 26 journaled within a sleeve 28threaded to the pipe, and a bearing spring 30 compressed between thebody and a pair of bearing rings 32 disposed around the spindle abovethe sleeve. A curved central portion or elbow 34 of the body 18 projectsupwardly and laterally from the lower portion 20 and terminates in anupper tubular portion 36 to which the range nozzle 12 is coupled. Therange nozzle 12 communicates with the vertical inlet passage 26 througha curved central flow passage 38, within the elbow 34 and which if outlongitudinally along the centerline as seen in FIG. 1 is defined by arear wall having an outer radius of curvature and a forward wall 37having an inner radius of curvature. The elbow 34, is formed so thatwater ejected from the range nozzle 12 travels in an upwardly andlaterally directed path from the sprinkler 10.

While the range nozzle 12 can take various forms, herein the nozzlecomprises a tube of circular crosssection having an elongatedcylindrical section 40 which projects outwardly from the body 18 andconverges uniformly to an outlet section 42. Inwardly, the cylindricalsection 40 terminates in an enlarged peripheral flange 44 which isclamped to the upper end portion 36 of the body 18 by an oppositelyflanged collar 46 threaded to the body. An O-ring seal 48 disposedbetween the outer end of the body 18 and the inner surface of the flange44 forms a liquid seal between the range nozzle 12 and the body toprevent water leakage.

For reasons that will become more apparent hereinafter, the spreadernozzle 14 is coupled to the outer end of a tubular projection 50 whichextends outwardly from the elbow 34 and located below the range nozzle12 in general alignment therewith. Depending belowthe tubular projection50 is an open sided, generally U- shaped frame or cage 52 comprising afront post 54 projecting downwardly from the tubular projection, a baseplate 56 projecting rearwardly from the lower end of the post, and arear strut 58 attached to the rear end of the base and to the lowerportion 20 of the body.

For driving the sprinkler 10 in a rotary direction about the supply pipe16, an impact drive assembly 60 of generally conventional design issupported by the cage 52 of the body 18 below the range nozzle 12.Herein, the impact drive assembly 60 is operated by the water streamejected from the spreader nozzle 14 and 4 produces incrimental rotationof the sprinkler 10 in a clockwise direction about the supply pipe 16 asviewed in FIGS. 1 and 7.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, the impact drive assembly 60 comprisesan impact arm 62 mounted adjacent one end, the left end in FIG. 1, forrotation on a journal pin 64 supported between the tubular projection 50and the base 56 of the cage 52, and carries a drive spoon or vane 66 atits opposite end which is designed to be aligned with the spreadernozzle 14 so that the water stream from the spreader nozzle can impingeon the vane. A torsion spring 68 connected at its lower end to the base56 and at its upper end to the impact arm 62 normally biases the vane 66into the path of the water stream from the spreader nozzle 14 andoperates in a conventional manner to pull the vane back into the streamfrom the spreader nozzle when the vane has been deflected out of thestream by the stream pressure, thereby causing the impact arm to strikethe foreward post 54 of the cage 52 and impart an incremental rotationto the sprinkler 10.

In accordance with the present invention, the central flow passage 38and the tubular projection 50 cooperate to effectively reduce swirlingmotion of water flowing through the elbow 34 to the range nozzle 12 andsignificantly increase the distance of throw of the water stream ejectedby the range nozzle to enlarge the size of the area irrigated by thesprinkler 10. Further, the sprinkler 10 of this invention is relativelyinexpensive to manufacture, is trouble free and reliable in use, anddoes not require any vanes or the like in the water passages to obtainits improved result.

Toward the foregoing ends, the central flow passage 38 is formed as auniformly and upwardly converging passageway of circular cross-sectionand which includes a lateral bleed opening 70 positioned in such amanner to effectively bleed swirling water particles from the centralflow passage and supply pressurized water through the tubular projection50 to the spreader nozzle 14. It has been found that by forming thecentral passage 38 as a uniformly converging passageway, the waterflowing through the central passage is accelerated in the longitudinaldirection of flow, and a substantial reduction in the amount of vortexswirl produced in the water flowing through the elbow 34 is achieved.Moreover, by appropriately locating the bleed opening 70 to the spreadernozzle 14, a substantial portion of the water swirl that is developedduring flow through the elbow 34 can be channeled out of the main flowand directed to the spreader nozzle.

Referring primarily to FIG. 1, as water passes through the elbow 34,vortex swirl is introduced due to the longer distance water particlesnear the rear wall 35 must travel as compared with water particlestraveling near the forward wall 37. The vortex swirl induced into theflow tends to take the form of eddy currents traveling from thecenterline of the elbow 34 upwardly toward the rear wall 35, thenlaterally around the periphery and downwardly toward the forward wall37, and then back in an upwardly direction toward the centerline as FIG.1 is viewed.

By accelerating the flow in the direction of the centerline of the elbow34, a substantial reduction in vortex swirl is achieved due to anincrease in the amount of energy required to accelerate the flow in thedirection of the centerline and a consequential reduction in the amountof energy available for vortex flow. Thus, the formation of vortex swirlis inhibited substantially by the converging nature of the central flowpassage 38.

Additionally, the bleed opening 70 is formed in the forward wall 37 sothat a substantial portion of the vortex swirl that is produced duringtravel through the elbow 34 will be directed to the spreader nozzle 14rather than rejoining the main flow to the range nozzle 12. As best seenin FIGS. 1 and 2, the bleed opening 70 is formed as a slot through theforward wall 37 and which has parallel sides 72 elongated in thelongitudinal direction and connected by rounded ends 74.

Water bled from the main flow in the central passage 38 through thebleed opening 70 is directed to the spreader nozzle 14 through a conduit76 defined within the tubular projection 50. As shown in FIGS. 3 through5, the conduit 76 has a substantially constant cross-sectional areaalthough the shape continuously and uniformly changes from an ellipticalconfiguration (FIG. 2) adjacent the bleed opening 70 to a circularconfiguration (FIG. 5) adjacent the outer end of the tubular projectionto which the spreader nozzle 14 is attached, herein by a threadedconnection 78.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, it will be noted that the tubular projection70 is obliquely disposed to project outwardly from the elbow 34 at asmall lateral angle with respect to the range nozzle 12 so that thewater stream from the spreader nozzle 14 will be ejected somewhatlaterally and not be directly below that ejected by the range nozzle. Ithas been found that if the stream from the spreader nozzle 14 weredirected below that of the range nozzle 12, water from the spreadernozzle would tend to be sucked into the range nozzle stream and disruptthe fallout pattern. By laterally offsetting the direction of the streamfrom the spreader nozzle 14, the water particles in the stream from thespreader nozzle will not be sucked into the stream from the range nozzle12.

In comparative tests between a sprinkler constructed in accordance withthe present invention and a conventional sprinkler of the same size andgeneral type and which included anti swirl internal vanes, it was foundthat about a 15 percent increase in the effective distance of waterthrow under substantially the same conditions was achieved with thesprinkler employing the principles of the present invention. Thus, itshould be apparent that the present invention substantially enhances theeffective watering area of a sprinkler having a range nozzle and aspreader nozzle, even one employing anti swirl vanes upstream from therange nozzle.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated anddiscribed, it should be apparent that various modifications andvariations therein can be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a rotary water sprinkler of the type including a body having alower portion defining an inlet water passage for receiving water from asupply pipe, a curved central portion extending upwardly and laterallyfrom the lower portion and within which is a curved central flow passagedefined by a rear wall having an outer radius of curvature and a forwardwall having an inner radius of curvature, and an upper portion extendingfrom the central portion, a range nozzle attached to the upper portionof the body for ejecting a stream of water over a relatively longdistance, and a spreader nozzle attached to the central portion of thebody for ejecting a stream of water over a shorter distance, theimprovement comprising:

forming said central flow passage as a uniformly and upwardly convergingpassageway of substantially circular cross section whereby water flowingthrough said passage is accelerated in the longitudinal direction offlow; and

providing a bleed opening through said forward wall below said rangenozzle and positioned to bleed swirling water particles from the flowthrough said central flow passage and to channel said swirling waterparticles to said spreader nozzle whereby the amount of swirling waterin the stream ejected through said range nozzle is substantiallyreduced.

2. The improvement as defined in claim l in which said bleed openingcomprises an elongated slot through said forward wall.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said spreader nozzle ispositioned below said range nozzle and in general alignment therewith,and said bleed opening comprises an elongated slot through said forwardwall and through which water is supplied to said spreader nozzle.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein said body includes atubular projection extending from said central portion and definingtherein a flow conduit from said slot, said spreader nozzle beingattached to the end of said projection remote from said slot.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein said projection extendsobliquely from said central portion relative to said range nozzle, andsaid body further includes a frame and an impact drive assemblysupported by said frame, said impact drive assembly including an impactarm having a drive spoon attached at one end and disposed to be normallyaligned in the path of the stream ejected by said spreader nozzlewhereby said sprinkler is driven by the stream from said spreadernozzle. Y

6. In a rotary water sprinkler of the type including a body having alower portion defining an inlet water passage for receiving water from asupply pipe, a curved central portion extending upwardly and laterallyfrom the lower portion and within which is a curved central flow passagedefined by a rear wall having an outer radius of curvature and a forwardwall having an inner radius of curvature, a range nozzle attached to andprojecting from the upper end of the central portion for ejecting astream of water over a relatively long distance, and a spreader nozzleattached to the body for ejecting a stream of water over a shorterdistance, the improvement comprising:

forming said central flow passage as a uniformly and upwardly convergingpassageway of substantially circular cross-section whereby water flowingthrough said passage is accelerated in the longitudinal direction offlow;

and providing a bleed opening through said forward wall below said rangenozzle, said bleed opening comprising a slot having substantiallyparallel sides elongated in the longitudinal direction of travel ofwater through said central flow passage, and positioned to bleedswirling water particles from the flow through said central flow passageand to channel said swirling water particles to said spreader nozzlethereby to reduce the amount of swirling water ejected by the rangenozzle and increase substantially the distance of throw of water ejectedthrough the range nozzle.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 6 including a tubular projectionextending from said forward wall 8 tached to said body for providingincremental rotation of said sprinkler.

10. The improvement as defined in claim 9 wherein said drive assemblyincludes an impact arm pivotally attached to said body and carrying adrive spoon at one end, said drive spoon being disposed to normally liein the path of the stream ejected by said spreader nozzle whereby saidsprinkler is driven by the stream from said spreader nozzle.

1. In a rotary water sprinkler of the type including a body having alower portion defining an inlet water passage for receiving water from asupply pipe, a curved central portion extending upwardly and laterallyfrom the lower portion and within which is a curved central flow passagedefined by a rear wall having an outer radius of curvature and a forwardwall having an inner radius of curvature, and an upper portion extendingfrom the central portion, a range nozzle attached to the upper portionof the body for ejecting a stream of water over a relatively longdistance, and a spreader nozzle attached to the central portion of thebody for ejecting a stream of water over a shorter distance, theimprovement comprising: forming said central flow passage as a uniformlyand upwardly converging passageway of substantially circular crosssection whereby water flowing through said passage is accelerated in thelongitudinal direction of flow; and providing a bleed opening throughsaid forward wall below said range nozzle and positioned to bleedswirling water particles from the flow through said central flow passageand to channel said swirling water particles to said spreader nozzlewhereby the amount of swirling water in the stream ejected through saidrange nozzle is substantially reduced.
 2. The improvement as defined inclaim 1 in which said bleed opening comprises an elongated slot throughsaid forward wall.
 3. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein saidspreader nozzle is positioned below said range nozzle and in generalalignment therewith, and said bleed opening comprises an elongated slotthrough said forward wall and through which water is supplied to saidspreader nozzle.
 4. The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein saidbody includes a tubular projection extending from said central portionand defining therein a flow conduit from said slot, said spreader nozzlebeing attached to the end of said projection remote from said slot. 5.The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein said projection extendsobliquely from said central portiOn relative to said range nozzle, andsaid body further includes a frame and an impact drive assemblysupported by said frame, said impact drive assembly including an impactarm having a drive spoon attached at one end and disposed to be normallyaligned in the path of the stream ejected by said spreader nozzlewhereby said sprinkler is driven by the stream from said spreadernozzle.
 6. In a rotary water sprinkler of the type including a bodyhaving a lower portion defining an inlet water passage for receivingwater from a supply pipe, a curved central portion extending upwardlyand laterally from the lower portion and within which is a curvedcentral flow passage defined by a rear wall having an outer radius ofcurvature and a forward wall having an inner radius of curvature, arange nozzle attached to and projecting from the upper end of thecentral portion for ejecting a stream of water over a relatively longdistance, and a spreader nozzle attached to the body for ejecting astream of water over a shorter distance, the improvement comprising:forming said central flow passage as a uniformly and upwardly convergingpassageway of substantially circular cross-section whereby water flowingthrough said passage is accelerated in the longitudinal direction offlow; and providing a bleed opening through said forward wall below saidrange nozzle, said bleed opening comprising a slot having substantiallyparallel sides elongated in the longitudinal direction of travel ofwater through said central flow passage, and positioned to bleedswirling water particles from the flow through said central flow passageand to channel said swirling water particles to said spreader nozzlethereby to reduce the amount of swirling water ejected by the rangenozzle and increase substantially the distance of throw of water ejectedthrough the range nozzle.
 7. The improvement as defined in claim 6including a tubular projection extending from said forward wall anddefining therein a flow conduit, said bleed opening communicating withsaid passage through said conduit, and said spreader nozzle beingattached to the outer end of said projection.
 8. The improvement asdefined in claim 7 wherein said tubular projection extends below saidrange nozzle in general alignment therewith.
 9. The improvement asdefined in claim 7 wherein said sprinkler includes an impact driveassembly attached to said body for providing incremental rotation ofsaid sprinkler.
 10. The improvement as defined in claim 9 wherein saiddrive assembly includes an impact arm pivotally attached to said bodyand carrying a drive spoon at one end, said drive spoon being disposedto normally lie in the path of the stream ejected by said spreadernozzle whereby said sprinkler is driven by the stream from said spreadernozzle.